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A graduate of Rotorua's famous carving school and a Taupo-based iwi representative and orator are two of 10 people honoured at the 2016 Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Awards held in Rotorua yesterday.

The awards honour contributions to Maori arts and help to preserve and secure the future of high-quality Maori arts across the country.

Established in 1986, the awards are the only national Maori arts awards that celebrate all art forms, recognising leadership, outstanding contribution, excellence and potential.

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She has made an outstanding contribution to the survival of te reo through her own passionate teaching and her determination to help others succeed.

She has extensive experience in Maori education at primary and tertiary levels.

The Lifetime of service to Maori arts - Nga Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka - award was given to four people in recognition of a lifetime contribution to the arts and strengthening Maori culture.

Taupo kaumatua Te Kanawa Pitiroi, a respected educator, is a tribal speaker and representative for paramount chief Sir Tumu te Heuheu and has extensive experience in Maori, iwi, and community education initiatives and is a respected elder of the Ngati Tuwharetoa people.

Keri Kaa, CNZM, is a well-known and loved East Coast taonga.

A Wellington Teachers College lecturer and a writer associated with the artists and writers in the Herstory diary, Haeata, and Waiata Koa collectives she is now based in Rangitukia and teaches at the local wananga.

Professor Sciascia has been involved in the conservation and promotion of Maori performing arts for more than 40 years - as a member of the Maori Theatre Trust world tour in 1970, and the founder of Tamatea Arikinui kapa haka and also a performer, composer, tutor, advisor, and leader for the group.

Hokimoana Te Rika Hekerangi is a distinguished tribal leader and resident Te Papa kaumatua during the exhibition Tuhoe: Children of the Mist, she was a founding member of the Tawharangi Maori Women's Welfare League and her in-depth knowledge of tikanga and te reo Maori is renowned.

Picking up the Emerging Maori Artists - Nga Manu Pirere - award and funding grant in recognition of achievement by a young Maori artist at an early career stage, was Cori Marsters, a graduate of NZMACI Carving School in Rotorua.